Seunghwui Koo

Works
Overview
Koo's provocative sculptures blend human and pig features to offer social commentary on modern society's emphasis on material possessions. Her 'Narcissism' series, featuring humanoid pig figures gazing into their reflections, satirizes the vanity and materialism of contemporary life.

Koo Seunghwui is a sculptor renowned for her provocative and satirical works that blend human and pig features. Raised in Korea, where pigs were considered symbols of good luck, Seunghwui's move to New York exposed her to Western views of pigs as symbols of greed and excess. Her sculptures serve as social commentary on modern society's emphasis on material possessions over love and happiness, and promote thoughtfulness and hope in the viewer. Seunghwui's "Narcissism" series is particularly striking, featuring humanoid pig figures gazing into their reflections while satirizing the vanity and materialism of contemporary life.

 

Seunghwui has exhibited her sculptures in several shows and galleries, including the Monmouth Museum, the Newark Museum, and the Belskie Museum of Art & Science, among others. She is also a member of the Chashama organization in New York City, and currently lives and works in New Jersey and New York.

Biography
Seunghwui Koo
Koo Seunghwui's sculptures blend human and pig elements to offer a satirical commentary on the differences between Eastern and Western cultures. Her work critiques the materialism and vanity she has encountered in New York City, while also promoting hope and thoughtfulness. Seunghwui's "Narcissism" series features humanoid pig figures gazing into their reflections, highlighting the societal obsession with superficial wealth. 

Koo Seunghwui (b. 1981) is known for her satirical and provocative sculptures that meld human elements with that of a pig. Growing up in Korea, Seunghwui knew pigs as a symbol of luck and good fortune. When she moved to New York, she learned pigs have far different connotations in Western Culture, such as greed and gluttony. These differing views of the animal are symbolic of the differences Seunghwui experienced between Eastern and Western Cultures.  The new world proved to be a place ruled by money and material things, leaving little room for love and happiness. Seunghwui sees today's society as highly competitive and at times toxic; by putting superficial prosperity before the people around them, people are left lonely and unfulfilled. Using the image of the pig, Seunghwui's work evokes these themes and offers social commentary. In her "Narcissism" series, Seunghwui depicts humanoid pig figures gazing into their reflections. While satirizing the vanity and materialism Seunghwui experiences in NYC, these sculptures also promote thoughtfulness and hope within the viewer.

 

Koo Seunghwui has shown her sculptural works in a number of exhibitions including Monmouth Museum, NJ, Belskie Museum of Art & Science, NJ, Newark Museum, NJ, Azarian McCullough Art Gallery, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY and Real Art Ways, Harford, CT, among others. She is one of the artists in the Chashama organization in NYC. Koo currently lives and works in New Jersey and New York.

Exhibitions
Installation shots
Art Fairs